1st Responder News FDNY August Edition

Page 1

This section is exclusively dedicated to coverage of the New York City Fire Department

FDNY NEWS

WWW.1RBN.COM

PUBLISHING SINCE 1993

AUGUST, 2013

FRED BACCHI

On June 12, 2013 at 1:15 p.m., FDNY units in Queens responded to a roof collapse on a commercial structure at 5-18 50 Ave, in the Long Island City section of the boro. - See full story on page 10

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August, 2013

1st Responder Newspaper - FDNY

RICHIE YORK

House explodes in Howard Beach Numerous calls came in around 2:00 p.m. on Wednesday, May 29th for an explosion at the intersection of 162nd Avenue and 84th Street in Howard Beach. Engine 331 and Ladder 173 started out for FDNY Box 99-1668 and could already see some smoke from their quarters. On arrival, E331 transmitted the working fire and reported a collapse at the location. Battalion Chief 39 put all hands to work and gave the size up of 162-39 84th Street for a gas fed fire in a two and a half story 20x40 private dwelling. Exposure 4 wall had a partial collapse and the fire was reported in the basement through to the roof. Utility companies were re-

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quested on a rush and a heavy gas odor lingered in the air. West Hamilton Beach Volunteer Fire Department's BLS Ambulance 947-3 immediately requested ALS and began to treat a 49 year old female victim with severe injuries including burns to 60% of her body. She was rushed to Jamaica Hospital and later transferred to the burn center at New York-Presbyterian Medical Center in Manhattan. Her pet dog, a one year old Shepherd, was taken to a local vet, where it was treated for minor injuries.

Division Chief 13 transmitted a second alarm roughly 20 minutes into the fire. Firefighters were being kept back from the building in case of another explosion. A single tower ladder was in operation and two hand lines were used to protect the exposures while the gas line to the house was shut down. The home was previously flooded and damaged during Hurricane Sandy. Neighbors at the scene stated they believe this incident may have possibly occurred due to faulty repairs. The fire marshal investigators are still trying to determine what sparked the explosion and fire.

STEVE WHITE

Accident in Staten Island A truck with a dumpster aboard detached from it's trailer and caused a three car accident in Staten Island. The accident occurred on Richmond Ave. and Deppe Place and knocked down a pole with electrical wires. There were no life threatening injuries.

- RICHIE YORK

MEET OUR CORRESPONDENTS If you have photos you would like to see in our Meet our Correspondents feature please upload them on our website www.1stResponderNews.com or email them to Heather@1stResponderNews.com.

ALLEN EPSTEIN

Second alarm in Brooklyn HEATHER PILLSWORTH

On May 17th, 1st Responder Photographer Fred Bacchi had the opportunity to meet Swamp People's RJ and Jay Paul at the Harrisburg Fire Expo.

On June 28, 2013, crews were alerted to a fire at Sydam Street and Bushwick Avenue in Brooklyn. They arrived at the two frame and contended with extension to exposure four. Four hose lines were used to extinguish the fire.


1st Responder Newspaper - FDNY

August, 2013

PAgE 3

NYSAFC

Robert Burns and Martin Ingram

2013 Chief Fred W. Singer Fire Educator of the Year Award FRED BACCHI

All hands in East Elmhurst On June 14, 2013 at 10:45 a.m., all hands went to work in the East Elmhurst section of Queens. The fire started in the basement of a two and a half story private dwelling, located at 10516 Ditmars Blvd. The fire spread to the first floor before being brought under control. A mayday was transmitted from companies operating in the basement when part of the first floor collapsed. All members were quickly removed and a roll call of companies revealed all members were accounted for. The fire was declared under control at 12:00 p.m.

East Schodack, NY. The New York State Association of Fire Chiefs is pleased to announce that Battalion Chief Robert T. Burns of the FDNY was honored with the association’s 2013 “Chief Fred W. Singer Fire Educator of the Year Award.” The award was presented during the General Session of the NYSAFC 107th Annual Conference & FIRE 2013 Expo on June 13th. This award is bestowed in memory of NYSAFC Past President Fred Singer, a 40 year fire service veteran and champion of fire service safety, training, and education. It recognizes outstanding effort in emergency services education, and honors an individual that is a fire service instructor providing training within New York state. This year’s honoree, Robert Burns, is a retired battalion chief

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from the FDNY. He served the FDNY for 37 years, the last 18 as a chief officer, prior to retiring in 2011. During his career, Burns spent 34 years in various field commands throughout New York City and also served as a safety battalion chief, hazmat chief, and an original member of the FDNY’s Incident Management Team. In addition, he was an adjunct instructor teaching leadership at John Jay College and headed the curriculum development group responsible for designing and delivering the leadership modules of the FDNY promotional training courses for lieutenants, captains, and battalion chiefs. Burns served as the director of the New York

State First Line Supervisor’s Training Program at the FDNY Fire Academy from 2007-2010. Burns is a nationally certified fire instructor level II, and currently conducts leadership training workshops for career and volunteer fire departments around the country. In recent years, he has participated as an instructor at numerous conferences and educational events hosted by NYSAFC, including the Annual Conference & FIRE Expo, Company Officers Leadership Training (COLT), and Emergency Services Leadership Symposium. Burns has also served for three years as a member of NYSAFC’s Fire Education Committee, which is devoted to developing classroom and handson training programs conducted by the association. - NYSAFC

ON THE LITER SIDE If you have photos you would like to see in our “On The Liter Side” feature, please upload them on our website, www.1stResponderNews.com or email them to Heather@1stResponderNews.com.

ALLEN EPSTEIN

Two alarms in Brooklyn A two alarm fire broke out on June 26th at Fanchon Place at Highland Place. Crews arrived to find a fire in a two story frame extending to exposure four. Four hose lines were used to extinguish the fire quickly and two patients were removed to a local hospital with minor injuries. RON JEFFERS

Some people just can't wait until the fire trucks leave!


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August, 2013

1st Responder Newspaper - FDNY

RICHIE YORK STEVE SOLOMONSON

All hands fire in rear of attached private On June 4, 2013 around 6:40 p.m., Queens Engine 293 transmitted a 10-75 with heavy fire showing in the rear of an attached private dwelling on 95th Avenue, Box 2111. Battalion Chief 39 confirmed fire on the first floor rear of 86-14 95th Avenue, a two story 20 x 40 at-

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tached frame private dwelling. The chief transmitted an all hands. Ladder 107 arrived as the FAST team. Two engines had their lines

stretched and operating, knocking down the main body of fire, but pushing it out to the rear roof of the extended first floor. Division Chief 13 placed the fire “probably will hold” at 7:15 p.m. - RICHIE YORK

STEVE SOLOMONSON

Blaze quickly extinguished in Brooklyn auto repair shop On June 11th, 2013 at approximately 8:00 p.m., a fire erupted on the second floor of an auto repair shop located at 1392 Utica Avenue just off Farragut Road in the East Flatbush section of Brooklyn. FDNY Division 15 used all hands with a request for an additional engine and truck. The fire was quickly knocked down and extinguished with one handline. No injuries were reported in the blaze.

ALLEN EPSTEIN

All hands in Brooklyn On June 24, 2013, a small fire broke out in a commercial building at Scott and Onderdonk Avenues in Brooklyn. One tower ladder was stretched and one line was used to extinguish the fire.


1st Responder Newspaper - FDNY

August, 2013

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August, 2013

1st Responder Newspaper - FDNY

Two alarms in Ridgewood, Queens

RICHARD YORK

On June 21, 2013 at 3:15 p.m., Queens Box 4157 was transmitted for a fire at 70 Avenue and 60 Street in the Ridgewood section of Queens. Engine 286 arrived and transmitted the 10-75 for a fire in a two story JUMP TO FILE # brick private 062113112 dwelling. Battalion 28 transmitted the all hands and requested an additional engine and truck to the scene. The fire building was a two brick 20x40 attached on both sides. Battalion 28 reported heavy fire on the second floor and into the cockloft. Fire spread to exposure four via the cockloft and the second alarm was transmitted. Also a call for the Con Edison was placed to respond due to a burning and arcing wire in front of the building, which was hampering firefighting efforts. Two additional trucks were special called above the second alarm and ordered to check all exposures for fire extension. After checking all exposures and determining no fire had spread past exposure four, the fire was placed under control at 5:30 p.m. - FRED BACCHI

FRED BACCHI

RICHARD YORK

Second alarm in Queens On June 2, 2013, FDNY Companies responded to Queens Box 22-5013 for a vacant 20 x 40 two story private dwelling with heavy fire and extension to exposure four on arrival. Engines and ladders went right to work with an all hands, which was transmitted on arrival. The second alarm was transmitted on arrival of Division Chief 13. At that time, two hose lines were stretched and truck companies were beginning to look for life under the ripping inferno above. The second floor was com-

JUMP TO FILE #062413113 RICHARD YORK

pletely involved and the roof collapsed in. The division chief ordered all companies out of the fire buildings and defensive attacks were made from the exterior until the main body of fire was knocked down. This fire broke out just after midnight at the address of 164-06 107th Ave in Jamaica, Queens. -RICHARD YORK

Basement fire at Brooklyn restaurant Fire broke out at 1064 Liberty Ave in the basement of "El Rey 2 Restaurant" in Brooklyn on June 4th at around 15:00 Hours. Battalion Cheif 39 reported all hands working for fire in the basement level of a 1 story 25 x 50 class 4 structure. The incident was placed probably will hold within 15 minutes and the upstairs area was checked for extension. Employees waited outside the Fire Line until the could return for their personal belongings.


1st Responder Newspaper - FDNY

August, 2013

PAgE 7

ANNE MARIE HORGAN

Members of RPFD receiving the Higgins and Langley memorial water rescue award for outstanding achievement

Rockaway Point wins Higgins and Langley Award On the night of October 29, 2012 during Hurricane Sandy, Capt/EMT Michael Valentine, Lt/EMT Brandon Reilly, Lt/EMT James Morton, Firefighter/EMT Michael Kahlau and Firefighter Brian Doyle set out in two small boats to rescue people in their houses and vehicles that became trapped by the rising flood waters. During the storm, we were able to relocate 20-25 people and some ten pets to a safer location. Some of the people rescued that night were in homes that were threatened by the rapidly growing fire that consumed over 100 homes at the height of Hurricane Sandy. Rockaway Point Fire Department lost every piece apparatus that it owned that night due to almost six feet of sea water flooding the firehouse, but still managed to assist the Roxbury Fire Department and the FDNY in fighting possibly the largest residential fire

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in NYC history. The members of the RPFD were awarded the Higgins and Langley Water Rescue Outstanding Achievement Award. The Higgins & Langley Memorial Award is the premier internationally-recognized award for excellence in swiftwater and flood rescue. It signifies an intense dedication to the field and a genuine desire to benefit the larger community responsible for the service. This year the award was presented at the National Association for Search and Rescue conference in Myrtle Beach South Carolina on Friday, May 31, 2013. - MICHAEL KAHLAU

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RICHIE YORK

Brooklyn vacant two story erupts On June 4th, 2013 around 7:00 p.m., Brooklyn companies arrived at a 448 Logan St, a vacant structure. Crews encountered fire out the windows of the second floor of the dwelling. Engine and Ladder companies went JUMP TO FILE # right to work and 062413115 immediately transmitted the all hands. One firefighter of L175 suffered a minor injury to his fac,e but continued to work while fire traveled through the walls of the second floor. This act was what one witness described as "another good example of New York’s Bravest". The fire was deemed suspicious and is currently under investigation. - RICHIE YORK

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August, 2013

1st Responder Newspaper - FDNY

Engine 293 FDNY HOUSES FDNY HOUSES by Larry Woodcock

Woodhaven, Queens is a blue collar, working class immigrant neighborhood located in Southwestern Queens just over the border from Brooklyn. Encompassing one square mile, its population hovers around 45,000 or so residents with 50 percent being Hispanic. European settlement began in the middle 18th century and Woodhaven was home to two racetracks that drew thousands of spectators, with one being the Union Course. It was nationally famous for its dirt track, which was a novelty at the time. In 1836 when the Long Island Railroad was established along Atlantic Avenue, the cars were pulled along by horses and stopped at all major intersections, not unlike the buses of today. The exception was that back then, people would get on and off while the car was moving. Nearby, the Jamaica Avenue line is one of the oldest that dates back to 1885 and portions of it remained elevated. In 1899, a tin factory was opened and employed thousands. It helped develop the community. To commemorate its closing and history, the company’s clock tower stands on the corner of Atlantic Avenue and 92nd Street. Forest Park can be found here, which the third largest park in the borough, located between Myrtle Avenue and Union Turnpike. The 545 acre park includes a golf course, a band stand for outdoor concerts, and a 100 year old carousel. Woodhaven is also the home of the Wildcats, 293 Engine. The firehouse is located at 89-40 87th Street. This company, like many across the city every year, is rumored to be closed when the mayor announces the budget deficit. But thankfully, each year like many others, they are saved from being shut and continue to serve their respective neighborhood with pride. Originally established as part of a volunteer company in 1907 is Clarenceville Hook and Ladder #2 of Richmond Hill. They later became Hose Company #2 located on Greenwood Avenue between Atlantic and Lexington Avenues. On January 1, 1915, they moved into their current firehouse, which was built in 1914 by

Architect Frank Quinby and have been there since. The neighborhood is mainly comprised of single and two family homes ranging from rowhomes to colonials and a large portion as taxpayers. They are spread throughout with large concentrations on Jamaica and Atlantic Avenues. The oldest bar in New York City and perhaps the country is Neir’s. The tavern is on the corner of 78th Street and 88th Avenue. Opened in 1829 and called “The Old Blue Pump House”it has been in continuous operation, except during prohibition and in the same location for its entire history. During prohibition, it was used as a speakeasy and the rooms above were converted to a bordello, further adding to its history and fame. Actress, singer, playwright and sex symbol Mae West, whose entertainment career spanned seven decades, was born in Brooklyn and raised in Woodhaven. She first performed here. Actors such as W.C. Fields would come here to drink when in New York. In 1990, it was used in the film“Goodfellas”. There is a historical marker outside the bar that acknowledges its status. Engine 293 has had several medal recipients and unit citations along with two line of duty deaths in their one hundred and six year exsistance.

LARRY WOODCOCK

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1st Responder Newspaper - FDNY

MUTUAL AID GORDON WREN

NYSAFC

Volunteer Fire Chief of the Year Award East Schodack, NY. The New York State Association of Fire Chiefs is pleased to announce the 2013 recipient of the “New York State Volunteer Fire Chief of the Year Award” – Chief Martin J. Ingram of the Point Breeze Volunteer Fire Department, Inc. (PBVFD). Ingram was presented with the award during the General Session of the NYSAFC 107th Annual Conference & FIRE 2013 Expo on June 13, 2013, at the Turning Stone Resort in Verona, NY. NYSAFC’s “Chief of the Year Award” honoree is selected for demonstrating exemplary leadership, innovation, professional development, integrity, service to the public, and contributions to the fire service as a whole. Martin Ingram leads the PBVFD, one of only nine volunteer fire departments within New York City and the first due agency that responds to the Breezy Point neighborhood in the borough of Queens. On October 29, 2012, Breezy Point was devastated by Superstorm Sandy, which caused unprecedented flooding, torrential rains, severe wind damage, and sparked a six alarm fire that completely destroyed over 110 homes. The PBVFD fire station sustained significant damage due to flooding and the impact of the storm, and the department’s chief’s vehicle was destroyed. No fatalities or serious injuries were reported in Breezy Point, due in large part to the efforts of firefighters from the local volunteer fire departments and the FDNY. “Ingram demonstrated firm leadership before, during, and after this disaster, and his dedication to both the Breezy Point community and his fellow firefighters is remarkable,” said NYSAFC President 2012-2013 Richard A. Messina (Bellmore Fire Department, Nassau County). PBVFD was one of three volunteer fire departments in the vicinity that remained operational during Superstorm Sandy, with members manning stations throughout the duration of the storm. Anticipating the need for extended operations, Ingram coordinated his department’s storm

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preparations. During the storm, he led the set up a public shelter at the fire house for residents who did not adhere to the city’s mandatory evacuation order. When the fire house was flooded, department members, evacuees, and their pets had to be relocated to a new shelter. Ingram also led his department’s response to the six alarm blaze, helping to save lives and prevent further fire spread. Following the storm, under Ingram’s leadership, PBVFD established a disaster recovery center that distributed supplies to the community. He also coordinated the response of firefighters from across New York state, who traveled to Breezy Point to provide assistance. Ingram led efforts to rebuild the PBVFD fire station, while at the same time rebuilding his own home. He continues to serve a principal role in this community, which is still rebuilding six months later. NYSAFC President Richard Messina noted, “Chief Ingram’s unwavering leadership, compassion for his community, and concern for his firefighters, many of whom also lost homes, make him this year’s ‘New York State Volunteer Fire Chief of the Year.” Ingram joined the PBVFD at age 17 while serving as a lifeguard at Jacob Riis Park in Queens. He went on to a career as a rescue helicopter pilot with the USAF, retiring with the rank of lieutenant colonel in 2002 after 30 years of active duty, Air National Guard, and Air Force Reserves service. Ingram later served as a National Park Police officer, and then was employed by the FAA as assistant division manager, Eastern Region Flight Standards Division. Ingram maintained his membership with the PBVFD, and upon retirement in July 2012, devoted himself to the role of fire chief. “Chief Ingram’s commitment to his community and dedication to his fire department serve as an example for chiefs from across New York state,” said NYSAFC President Richard Messina. - NYSAFC

The fire service learns from every tragic line of duty death and unfortunately, there have been a lot of them this year, especially multiple fatal events. One of those that had a particularly hard impact on me personally in Hackensack, NJ back in 1988. The following comes from “The Secret List– FirefighterCloseCalls.com.” 25 years ago tomorrow, Monday July 1, that infamous 60-ton bow strung truss roof collapsed at a working fire at Hackensack Ford killing Capt. Richard L. Williams, 53, Firefighter William Krejsa, 51, and Firefighter Leonard Radumski, 38 in the Line of Duty. And then, two additional firefighters, Lt. Richard Reinhagen, 48, and Stephen Ennis, 30, survived the initial collapse, but were trapped in a closet and running out of air...as the men cried out for help over a portable radio while rescuers struggled to find them, they too lost their lives in the Line of Duty. Every firefighter should be educated on this fire. Odd's are, many TSL's members were not old enough to remember this fire...or were not even born yet. The five were engaged in interior fire suppression efforts at the automobile dealership when portions of the building's wood bowstring truss roof suddenly collapsed. The incident occurred on Friday, July 1, 1988, at approximately 1500 hours, when they received the first of a series of telephone calls reporting "flames and smoke" coming from the roof of the Hackensack Ford Dealership. Two engines, a ladder truck, and a battalion chief responded to the first alarm assignment. The first arriving fire fighters observed a "heavy smoke condition" at the roof area of the building. Engine company crews investigated the source of the smoke inside the building while the truck company crew assessed conditions on the roof. For the next 20 minutes, the focus of the suppression effort was concentrated on these initial tactics. During this time, however, little headway appeared to have been made by the initial suppression efforts and the magnitude of the fire continued to grow. The overall fire ground tactics were shifted to "defensive" and the battalion chief gave the order to "back your lines out." However, before suppression crews could exit form the interior, a sudden partial collapse of the truss roof occurred, trapping six firefighters. An intense fire immediately engulfed the area of the collapse. One trapped firefighter was able to escape through an opening in the debris. The other five died as a result of the collapse. HERE is how you can learn about how those five firefighters gave their lives and what has been learned since then:

August, 2013

25th year anniverary story, photos, video from Hackensack Ford: http://tinyurl.com/oxba3ze ( http://r20.rs6.net/tn.jsp?e=001iDgJ pzEXgKFPQGUqo_7AafJRwgPfeqJseaOfQXzoaZ56l05J7x1V ncC4_12Ayk32AZWD3gTLVbLW F Yq g P 3 z S 9 v M F a t S O d m G X PSp9ess9mtpddLMZ_7ufMnWlCYd-0zQ- ) http://www.nytimes.com/1988/ 07/02/nyregion/5-firefighterskilled-in-jersey-as-a-roofcollapses This fire occurred not too far from where I was then serving as a Deputy Fire Coordinator and VicePresident of the Rockland County Fire Chiefs’ Association. The morning after this fire, the members of the Seminar Committee for the Chiefs’ Association discussed the circumstances of the fire. We talked about how trusses can frequently be hidden. However, with bow-string truss buildings, the rounded roof is a quick give-away and should indicate extreme danger to responding firefighters if the fire involves the truss construction. We decided to immediately organize a seminar with bow-string truss construction as its topic. We needed a speaker–my committee Co-Chair and FDNY Rescue 3 Lieutenant, Art Smith, and I decided to reach out to the then famous Francis L. Brannigan, the author of Building Construction for the Fire Service. Mr. Brannigan was known as the “old professor,” and his book was and is known as “the Bible” for fire-related building construction. The third edition was published in 1992. This edition is still a must read for any serious student of fire or active line officer.

PAge 9

We traced down the old professor in a community called Scientists’ Cliffs, which is located in Maryland. Within a day or two we had made contact with him, discussed dates and scheduled Frank Brannigan for a full day seminar. Art and I took Mr. Brannigan out to dinner with other members of the committee the night before the seminar, where we learned a great deal and had a great night. The next day’s seminar filled a 550 seat auditorium, with standing room only. I don’t normally save newspaper or magazine articles, but I have an editorial dated July 15, 1988 that I framed and hung on my office wall. I was so proud of the fact that the fire service leadership in our county at that time moved so quickly in response to a horrible tragedy, in an effort to prevent a similar disaster from happening here. This is the editorial that appeared roughly two weeks after the Hackensack fire. A year or two after the Hackensack fire and the seminar, we experienced a working fire in a Buick Dealership built with bow-string trusses. While responding to the scene, I was pleased and gratified to hear on several occasions, radio transmissions by the Incident Commander and others, emphasizing that the building was constructed with bow-string truss materials. The building was a total loss, but was fought defensively from the beginning with no firefighter injuries. The property is now home to another thriving business, which usually happens after a fire destroys a building.


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August, 2013

1st Responder Newspaper - FDNY

Communications and Emergency Scene Safety II Fire and EMS radio communications are the backbone of our daily operations and vital to the safety of all responding personnel. The use of portable radios and the potential for all emergency scene personnel being issued a radio will greatly enhance their safety and accountability. If this is STAYING not possible, SAFE then every officer and or Chief Henry Campunit assigned bell emeran gency scene function should have at least one member with a portable radio. When used properly and in conjunction with the Incident Command System, emergency scene radio communications greatly improves life safety. When used improperly, or when there are failures in the system, the threat to life safety is greatly increased. Over the past few years there have been recorded failures, misuse, and inadequacies in the radio communications systems in many departments, some of which have contributed to the loss of lives. No matter what type of radio system you are operating with, there are some specific procedures that must always be followed. Always! Like everything else we do in life, we become creatures of habit and revert back to what we consider to be the simplest and usually laziest method of operation. Misunderstood orders, being on the wrong channel/frequency, not monitoring your radio, radio interference, are but a few of the problems that can be encountered, and should they occur at an in opportune time, they may be deadly. How many departments train on the use of department radio equipment? Does the training just cover how to turn the radio on, how to select a channel/frequency and unit call designations, battery replacement and charging and then you are qualified? Use of department communication equipment should be in writing and explicit as to the operations and use of the equipment, and then the policy must be enforced. Specifics such as acknowledgment, radio discipline, fireground and dispatch channel/frequencies, reports, and emergency radio traffic procedures should be included. Radio discipline procedures should include proper radio etiquette when using the radio system, using the Think-Push-Speak method, and giving concise meaningful reports and messages in a clear voice. There are many longwinded speakers using the emergency services radio system and we all have them, give them a radio and they think they have to say something. Remember you learn more by

listening! The person who pushes the button and the first word out of their mouth is a long “aaaaah” can be very distracting. Think about what you are going to say before pushing the “push to talk” button, then after you have pushed the button, wait a second or two for the radio “to open up” then give your complete message. Half a message can be very confusing at times and it ties up the airwaves when it has to be repeated. If you have a very long message, it should be broken up into smaller messages. The most important part of any radio transmission is being acknowledged. Being acknowledged simply means that someone has heard you. If you have not been acknowledged you can very well assume you have not been heard. Before giving any message over the radio you must get the attention of the person, unit, dispatcher, or whomever before you actually give your message. Radio interference, being on the wrong channel, feedback, dead battery, inattention, or the possibility that the intended receiver is transmitting at the same time all may hinder the receipt of your message. Once you have been acknowledged then you can proceed with your message, and then once again, be acknowledged that it was received. If the receiver does not understand the message, or did not receive all of it, now is the time to request that it be repeated. E very radio message, no matter how simple or whether emergency scene or not, should be acknowledged, practice creates good habits. Are you on the right channel/frequency? Radio discipline requires each member to be on the correct radio channel/frequency. Check your radio when reporting for duty and or upon your arrival on the emergency scene. The tendency is to forget to revert back to the correct channel/frequency after using another channel/frequency for whatever the reason. If you are operating at an incident and your gut reaction tells you that you should be hearing some radio chatter and you are not, check your radio channel/frequency. If you have a scanning radio and are operating at the incident scene, get on the correct channel/frequency and turn off the scan mode. I know, you can scan and select a priority channel/frequency. It sounds good, but it doesn’t work, unless you like parts of messages. Therefore, I repeat myself, turn off the scanning mode! You should only be interested in what is going on at your incident, not what is happening in the town, city, or county. You can only be at one place at a time, pay attention to what is going on where you are in order to stay safe. Till next time Stay Safe and God Bless! - HENRY CAMPBELL

FRED BACCHI

FRED BACCHI

Roof collapse in Long Island City On June 12, 2013 at 1:15 p.m., FDNY units in Queens responded to a roof collapse on a commercial structure at 5-18 50 Ave, in the Long Island City section of the boro. The building was a one story brick 30x75, attached on both sides. A total collapse of the rear portion of the roof occurred. The building was unoccupied and no injuries were reported. Exposures 2 and 4 were evacuated as a precaution. Reports at the scene were blaming the recent heavy rains as a possible cause of the collapse.

WORKING FACES

FRED BACCHI

Firefighter from L154 exchanges air bottle at the scene of a recent first alarm in East Elmhurst.


1st Responder Newspaper - FDNY

August, 2013

PAgE 11

Vehicle News

RON JEFFERS

FDNY Ladder Co. 56, in the Bronx, has bee assigned a Ferrara 100foot rear mount aerial ladder. RICHARD YORK

All hands in South Ozone Park All hands went to work for a structure fire at 126-04 133rd Ave in South Ozone Park in Queens on April 27th around 5:30 p.m. Battalion Chief 51 reported fire on the first floor of a two story 25x50 commercial and the fire was under control within a half hour.

FACES If you have photos you would like to see in our Faces feature please upload them on our website www.1stResponderNews.com or email them to Heather@1stResponderNews.com.

RON JEFFERS

FDNY Ladder Co. 34 has been assigned a new Seagrave 100-foot tractor drawn aerial ladder.

RON JEFFERS

FDNY Ladder Co. 38 has been assigned a new Ferrara 100-foot rear mount aerial ladder.

FRED BACCHI

FDNY Engine 286 after a recent second alarm fire in Ridgewood, New York.

1RBN.com


PAGE 12

August, 2013

1st Responder Newspaper - FDNY

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